Thaer Abbas

Thaer Abbas
Arab World Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam during a cabinet meeting to approve the monopoly on arms (EPA). 

Lebanese Govt Welcomes Army Plan to Disarm Hezbollah, Grants ‘Operational Discretion’

The Lebanese government has welcomed the army’s plan to implement the principle of the “exclusive possession of arms,” through a formula that was met with…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (NNA)

Setback in Hezbollah Arms Talks Puts Lebanon on Alert

Lebanon has entered another waiting phase as political leaders brace for fallout from what appeared to be a setback in US mediation efforts with Israel, after…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri receives Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam last week (Parliament Media Office) 

Salam to Asharq Al-Awsat: Raising the Issue of Exclusive State Control of Arms Is Not a Provocation

Lebanon is entering a critical phase in its long-running debate over Hezbollah’s weapons, following Israel’s rejection of recent Lebanese proposals aimed at…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)

Geagea to Asharq Al-Awsat: Hezbollah’s Weapons No Longer Intimidate Israel  

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has warned that Lebanon is heading toward a “dangerous and potentially destructive summer” if the government fails to take…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World US Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack arrives for his meeting with Lebanon's Prime Minister at the government palace in Beirut on July 21, 2025. (AFP)

Barrack Says Lebanon Has an Opportunity; Israel, Not US, Setting Deadline for Hezbollah Disarmament

US envoy Tom Barrack concluded his visit to Beirut on Wednesday by reiterating Washington’s stances related to the disarmament of Hezbollah, which he said is…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World 07 July 2025, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun shakes hands with Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack ahead of their meeting in the presence of US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson, in Beirut. Photo: Lebanese Presidency Office Apai/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

US Opens Diplomatic Track to Revise Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire Deal

A high-stakes visit by US envoy Tom Barrack to Beirut has opened a “diplomatic window” to de-escalate tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, as Lebanese…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World Smoke rises following Israeli airstrikes targeting the hills overlooking Nabatieh in southern Lebanon (DPA)

Lebanon to US: Hezbollah Arms Move to North Litani Region if Israel Pulls Back from South

Lebanon has formally proposed a trade-off to the United States: Israel withdraws from Lebanese territory, and in return, Hezbollah will pull its heavy weapons…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

Lebanese Prime Minister: No Turning Back on State Decision to Control All Arms

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized on Friday that Lebanon has succeeded at making a new promising start despite all the challenges facing the…

Thaer Abbas